Retail Business Manager, SPIDER

About the role

As the interim Retail Business Manager, you will lead the day-to-day charities business operations of the company, for the retail and ecommerce enterprise. This includes overseeing the collection, refurbishment, and resale of donated goods across the charities retail social enterprise. You will play a key role in driving income generation, ensuring financial sustainability.

Working alongside the Companions Manager to identify opportunities for Companions to support their contribution to achieve the charities mission to provide meaningful work and support for people who have experienced homelessness. Working as part of the Management Team, you will promote the charity internally and externally, contributing to strategic goals around self-sufficiency, growth, and social impact.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day retail and trading operations, ensuring strong sales performance, customer service, and income generation.
• Develop, motivate, and manage staff, volunteers, and companions across business activities, including recruitment, training, supervision, and rota management.
• Oversee shop merchandising, layout, stock flow, and customer experience to maximise sales and engagement.
• Manage stock systems, cash handling, banking processes, and ensure accurate reporting and administration.
• Oversee donation processing, sorting areas, warehouse operations, and recycling processes including rag and book recycling.
• Drive business growth by identifying new income opportunities, including Gift Aid, account customers, and e-commerce development.
• Monitor competitor activity and market trends to inform pricing, strategy, and business development.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, Health & Safety, and organisational policies and procedures.
• Support the welfare, development, and engagement of companions through structured work opportunities and collaboration with community leadership.
• Maintain safe, clean, and well-managed retail and operational environments across all sites.
• Build and maintain external relationships with suppliers, partners, and the wider company network.
• Contribute to strategic planning, reporting, and wider organisational development.

About you

• An experienced and commercially minded leader with a strong background in charity retail operations, team management, and income generation.
• Proven experience managing staff, volunteers, or mixed teams within a fast-paced environment, ideally within a charity, social enterprise, or retail setting.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with confidence overseeing budgets, stock systems, and operational processes.
• A strong communicator with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams, including volunteers and individuals with additional support needs.
• A commitment to social impact, sustainability, and the values of the company is essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively within a leadership team and engage effectively with external stakeholders.

About Them

The company is part of a wider UK Federation, providing a home, work, and support for people who have experienced homelessness. Through its social enterprise model, the organisation collects, refurbishes, and sells donated goods to generate income that supports its community and mission, while helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

Pay

Salary: £42,000–£47,000 per annum, depending on experience (FTE which will be pro-rata period of contract)

Schedule

Holiday: 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays (FTE which will be pro-rata period of contract)

Benefits

• Free onsite parking
• Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 confidential counselling